Cheapshooter
New member
I'm not assuming anything about a new, or new to me gun I might need to rely on to defend my life.
Besides, "shake down" or not, I want to shoot my guns. Not put them somewhere, and forget about them.
How many rounds for proof?
- Thread starter JJ45
- Start date
Besides, "shake down" or not, I want to shoot my guns. Not put them somewhere, and forget about them.
Aguila Blanca
Staff
I also agree with this. With premium self defense loads costing $1.25 to $1.50 per round these days, few of us can afford to run 500 rounds of carry ammo through a gun to check it. I've taken to a compromise procedure: I buy JHP projectiles and load my own "reliability proving" rounds. As long as the bullet shape is close to my chosen brand of carry ammo and I load to the same overall length, I think that's a reasonable way to go. Then I follow up with one or two boxes of the actual carry ammo.Spats McGee said:
My handloaded JHP is only for testing, though, I don't carry it. And I make certain I keep it well apart from my commercial carry ammo.
JoeSixpack
New member
I like to see about 300 rounds of perfect functioning fmj
Follow it up with at least 100 rounds of what you intend to carry in it.
You could jump straight to carry ammo testing but some guns exhibit break in which would be a mighty waste of carry ammo.
Follow it up with at least 100 rounds of what you intend to carry in it.
You could jump straight to carry ammo testing but some guns exhibit break in which would be a mighty waste of carry ammo.
FrankenMauser
New member
My LCP had about 70 rounds through it before I carried it regularly.
Reasoning:
A) I don't think the LCP is meant for regular use. It can't be expected to survive thousands of rounds.
B) After a couple initial hiccups with a handload, it ate everything I fed it. (Including handloads and a variety of SD ammo.)
When I go shooting, I put another magazine or three through the pistol if it comes along.
It has not given me a single issue since those first two magazines knocked down the burrs and settled everything in.
I doubt it has even 200 rounds through it.
Other pistols...
Most were not purchased specifically for defensive use, so they're in a slightly different category. But they saw 300-600 rounds before they went into SD/HD use. The Ruger P95DC, in particular, took about 600 rounds just to be "broken-in" and was well over 900 before it went into SD use.
The only exception I can think of is the Beretta 92S. I ran fewer than 100 rounds through it before using it as a 'car/truck gun', because it came to me lightly used and was absolutely flawless with all ammo in two magazines.
Reasoning:
A) I don't think the LCP is meant for regular use. It can't be expected to survive thousands of rounds.
B) After a couple initial hiccups with a handload, it ate everything I fed it. (Including handloads and a variety of SD ammo.)
When I go shooting, I put another magazine or three through the pistol if it comes along.
It has not given me a single issue since those first two magazines knocked down the burrs and settled everything in.
I doubt it has even 200 rounds through it.
Other pistols...
Most were not purchased specifically for defensive use, so they're in a slightly different category. But they saw 300-600 rounds before they went into SD/HD use. The Ruger P95DC, in particular, took about 600 rounds just to be "broken-in" and was well over 900 before it went into SD use.
The only exception I can think of is the Beretta 92S. I ran fewer than 100 rounds through it before using it as a 'car/truck gun', because it came to me lightly used and was absolutely flawless with all ammo in two magazines.
I think if it performs properly with the first 2 boxes of ammo, it is proven and will be reliable. The only gun I ever had a problem with malfunctioned with the first box of ammo. It takes a couple of boxes to familiarize yourself with your new gun and insure it goes bang every time you pull the trigger.
200 rounds of ball and then work with good ammo, suited to the job you want it to do, till you know what works best in that gun, in your hands. Then make sure about 100 rounds of that works well.
By that time you've put several hundred rounds of various stuff through it and had fun. You know what's accurate in it at 25 yards and at 7. You know what you can shoot well at speed with it and what you can shoot well when you have time. Good to go.
Once you have some decent ammo it ain't about the number of rounds...it's about the shooter, the gun and the ammo.
tipoc
By that time you've put several hundred rounds of various stuff through it and had fun. You know what's accurate in it at 25 yards and at 7. You know what you can shoot well at speed with it and what you can shoot well when you have time. Good to go.
Once you have some decent ammo it ain't about the number of rounds...it's about the shooter, the gun and the ammo.
tipoc
Model12Win
Moderator
I like 500 through my autos and 200 through my revos.
I would just say until you're comfortable with the gun inside and out. You know the controls so you can work them in the dark, you know where you need to hold on your target to hit it, ect... In my kind once you're comfortable with the gun you've probably put plenty of rounds through it. If there are no major failures in that time I think you're good to go.
I would try to fire at least 50-100 through EACH carry magazine. In an auto pistol, the magazine is NOT an accessory - when in place, it becomes an integral part of the pistol; if it doesn't work, the pistol doesn't work. The same is true for ammo. All too often I see someone write to the effect "I just paid $2000 for the supposedly best best pistol, now where can I get some cheap ammo and magazines for carry." Then there is the fellow I met who practiced with cheap ammo; when I suggested he actually shoot some of his high price carry ammo, it didn't work! Ooops!
Jim
Jim
I once bought a ram line magazine for my hi power. Good Lord, what junk. Sight unseen from some company and returning it wasn't worth the effort and expense.
Could have sold or gifted it, no way. I caved the thing in with a hammer and trashed it.
This is one of the reasons that I never bought used cars or second-hand guns. People who own a little piece of perfection aren't going to let it get away, but they are always delighted to recoup their losses if they bought a blind dog.
Could have sold or gifted it, no way. I caved the thing in with a hammer and trashed it.
This is one of the reasons that I never bought used cars or second-hand guns. People who own a little piece of perfection aren't going to let it get away, but they are always delighted to recoup their losses if they bought a blind dog.
A few years ago I gave my SIL a kahr CW 45. I have it back,he could not get it to run well, he would get a random failure to feed. I have more time and ammunition, so I have been playing with it. After me running two boxes of Winchester White Box JHP it is down to one FTF in 3-4 magazines. Did not matter if shooting stronghand, off hand, even trying to limp wrist it. Still not good enough to trust to carry. I tried some of my lead 230 gr round nose stuff that feeds fine in my 1911's, multiple FTF in the Kahr. I will try two more boxes of Winchester White box stuff, if it does not run well after that it is time to consider not carrying it in my opinion.
I hope it starts to break in; it is a pretty accurate piece for an inexpensive firearm. I have no problem running the White Box JHP for self defense IF it runs reliably. If it does not run my reloads or anything else it would be ok by me. I figure if a couple of hundred rounds don't do the trick then it is not going to work like it should, and becomes a trade piece. Then it comes in conflict with my "no trade/no sale" firearms policy. Never had that happen before, not sure what I will do.
David
I hope it starts to break in; it is a pretty accurate piece for an inexpensive firearm. I have no problem running the White Box JHP for self defense IF it runs reliably. If it does not run my reloads or anything else it would be ok by me. I figure if a couple of hundred rounds don't do the trick then it is not going to work like it should, and becomes a trade piece. Then it comes in conflict with my "no trade/no sale" firearms policy. Never had that happen before, not sure what I will do.
David
wnycollector
New member
I like to see 200 rounds of FMJ and 100 rounds of JHP trouble free before I carry the new gun. If I change my brand of JHP ammo or add a mag to rotation I run 100 rounds though it just to be sure.
It depends on the type of gun. With most modern guns designed for hollow point ammo, like Glock or SW M&P, I'm good with 100 rounds of FMJ and three or four mags (or 50 rounds) of the hollow points I intend to use. There are exceptions. IRRC, Kahr recommended 200 rounds FMJ as a break-in for the CM9 and I found that to hold true.
Also, for a 1911, I go up to 200 to 250 rounds of FMJ and 50 rounds of the hollow points.
Also, for a 1911, I go up to 200 to 250 rounds of FMJ and 50 rounds of the hollow points.
Recoil spring
New member
Back in the day.
When I first got into shooting in the 1970's it was common for a jamb or 2 in the first one-two magazines, then smooth sailing on a new semi-auto pistol after that. However, FMJ was the norm for reliable feeding, it was common to have a pistol sent to a custom gunsmith to have a "throat job" to alter the ramp if you wanted to run hollow points.
In many cases over the last 25 years I have purchased semi-auto pistols that are sent from the factory new with little or no lubricant, I always tear down a new pistol and grease/oil it good before taking it to the range. I suspect that many malfunctions are caused by these "dry pistols", and that the makers are lazy to not lubricate them properly.
My newest purchases are a Kahr CW 380 and a Ruger LCP, I found them rock solid after a little over 100 rounds put through them, trusted and carried them after that. They still get taken to the range, but, I have found them reliable early on. And yes, I read where Kahr said "200 rds" to break them in.
When I first got into shooting in the 1970's it was common for a jamb or 2 in the first one-two magazines, then smooth sailing on a new semi-auto pistol after that. However, FMJ was the norm for reliable feeding, it was common to have a pistol sent to a custom gunsmith to have a "throat job" to alter the ramp if you wanted to run hollow points.
In many cases over the last 25 years I have purchased semi-auto pistols that are sent from the factory new with little or no lubricant, I always tear down a new pistol and grease/oil it good before taking it to the range. I suspect that many malfunctions are caused by these "dry pistols", and that the makers are lazy to not lubricate them properly.
My newest purchases are a Kahr CW 380 and a Ruger LCP, I found them rock solid after a little over 100 rounds put through them, trusted and carried them after that. They still get taken to the range, but, I have found them reliable early on. And yes, I read where Kahr said "200 rds" to break them in.
A couple of boxes of FMJ, a couple of mags of SD ammo and I feel good. Then every time I go to the range my carry guns are shot. I mostly shoot FMJ but will run a few rounds of SD. This works for me and has never failed me in any of the shoot outs I have been in. Oh wait I never been in a shoot out ;-) . Shoot the gun as often as you can and you will be good the go.